Pipe hanger



Oct. 25, 1927.

- J. B. SCHEER PIPE HANGER Filed July 29. 1922 m M w m ATTORNEY?- Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOHN B. SCHEER, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

FIPE HANGER.

Application filed July 29,

The invention relates to a pipe hanger par.- ticularly designed for use in suspending pipes from the lower flanges of I-beams, the hanger being quickly connected to the Lbeam in pipe supporting relation, without the ne cessity of any other attachments.

The invention involves an improvement in the existing forms of similar devices, and embodies in its construction certain provisions which insure the fixity of the pipe hanger in position, and which prevents the collapse of like structures heretofore used.

The pipe hanger comprises a band bent into U-shape from a blank of irregular contour, means being provided in the blank for maintaining the upstanding legs of the U in fixed parallel relation, that the pull on the hanger is always in a truly vertical plane. The provision whereby this stability of the struc ture is attained prevents any collapse of the hanger due to the careless workmanship in adjusting the hangers and their supported pipes in position upon the I-beam.

Viewed in one aspect the pipe hanger acts as a lever of the second order, in the operation of which the weight of the pipe is utilized to seat the hanger more firmly upon the I-beam.

The novel features of my invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing herewith:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a length of pipe showing the manner in which the same is supported from the lower flanges of parallel Lbeams by means of my improved hanger.

Fig, 2 is a plan view showing the contour of the metal blank of which my complete hanger is formed. 4 Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the parts shown at the right in Fig. l and illustrating more clearly the manner of using my invcntion.

Fig. 4 is a view looking from the left of Fig. 5 is a perspective view of my improved pipe hanger, showing the arrangement of the elements after the blank illustrated in Fig. 2 has been properly drawn into shape.

In the drawing, the numeral indicates two parallel I-beams, such as are used in buildings to support the floors and roofs. It is the practice to attach to the lower flanges of these Ibeams, the several pipes used for 1922. Serial No. 578,318.

various purposes. Instead of drilling the beams for this purpose it is usual to employ a hanger of some form which may be used to connect the pipe to the beam.

A common form of hanger for such purpose is one which is struck from sheet metal, bent into U-shape with the upstanding legs thereof in parallel relation, each leg being provided with a projection extending in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, such projection being adapted to rest upon the lower flange of the I-beam. The U-shaped hanger thus described is perforated near the upper ends of the upstanding legs for the reception of a bolt which is passed through such perforations. The function of the bolt is to clamp the bent central section of the hanger tightly about the same and with a degree of frictional engagement, which will prevent the movement of the hanger longitudinally of the pipe, when the parts are placed in position. If the upstanding legs of the hanger are not drawn out of their parallel relation, the hanger described may be used with satisfactory results, and may support the pipe properly.

However, many installations in which the hanger described has been used as a means for supporting the pipe, have collapsed under the weight of the pipes and their contents. Study of the situation thus presented has made clear to me that the collapse s due in all cases to careless workmanship 1n hanging the pipes. The defect arises from the fact that the upstanding parallel legs of the hanger offer but little resistance to the pressure exerted upon the bolt, and that in tightening such belt a careless workman will destroy the parallelism of the up standing legs of the hanger and cause them to converge at their free ends. As a result of this careless workmanship, the direct, vertical support for the pipe upon the flange of the I-bean1 is destroyed. The angles of force are changed, and the hanger can no longer sustain the weight of the pipes. The projections of the hanger are in position to be easily bent, and when this occurs the structure falls with disastrous results. My invention is designed to overcome the objections and 'ditliculties heretofore encountered, and this result I achieve by the provision of means which will insure that the upstanding legs of the U-shaped hanger will at all times be retained in true Vertical powhich it is intended to support, as indicated in l. The upstanding legs 12 of the hanger are provided with extensions 13 adapted to project over and rest uponthe lower flange of the I-beam 10. In forming the blank 11 I'inake an incision 14 at one end tl ereoi' to provide for the formation of a tongue 15, which is adapted to be bent and to stand at a right angle to the plane of the blank. The length ofthe incision 14 will be such that the length of the tongue will correspond to the diameter oi the pipe,

and suchtongue, attached to one leg 12 of the hanger will act as a spacer for the other leg, the end of the tongue intercepting any movement of the leg against which it abuts, as in Figs. 4 and 5. Perforations 16 are provided in the legs 12 near their upper ends, and a bolt 17 is passed therethrough to clamp the hanger upon the pipe. The resistance oil'ered by the tongue 15 prevents the parallelism otthe legs 12 from being destroyed when thebolt 17 is tightened. As

a result of this construction the pull upon the hanger is always in the'longitudinal vertical direction of the legs 12, so that collapse of the liairgeris prevented.

The projections 13 are bevelled at their lower edges to correspond with the angular surface of the lower flange of the I-beam so that the hanger'is firmly seated thereon, and supported at two points, separated'by the diameter of the pipe. The distance piece formed by the tongue 15 lies approximately in the vertical plane of the boltrl6. When in position the pipe will'bear snugly against the lowersurtace of the bottom flange of the I-beam.

One end of the blank, the lower left hand end in Fig. 2, is formed with a projection 18,"and the opposite end with an irregular projection 19, partly severed from the blank by an incision 20. The projection 19 is adapted to be bent on the line 21 and to extend horizontally from side to side of the hanger is in position. "lVhen the projection 19 is bent as described, it will rest upon the pipe and prevent the hanger from rocking when engaged with the flange of the I-beam. In such position the hanger acts as a lever of the second order, and ellectively supports the pipe against any sagging movement. A portion 22 of the projection 19 is bent upon the dottedline 23 into anupstanding position, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, so as to constitute a greater resistance in thepart 19.

In actual use my improved hanger has proven very eiiicient. It is quickly applied by bein slipped over the end of the pipe and adjusted infined position by means of the screw 16. It is obvious that two hangers may be placed upon each I-beam if desired. 'lhis arrangen'ient as well as that shown will prevent any longitudinal movement of the pipes supported by the hangers.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim and desire. to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: v

1. A pipe hanger constituted as an integral structure including a'metal strap arranged and adapted to form a pipe support, of upstanding. parallel legs one at each side oi said pipe support, projections extending from the legs to support the hanger, means formed on the hanger for-spacing and preserving parallelism of the legs, and fastening means located between said metal strap and said spacing. means for drawing the sides of the structure together when the hanger is in operative position.

2. A pipe hanger constituted as an integral, unitary structure including a metal strap arranged and adaptedto form a pipe support, oi upstanding parallel legs one at each side of said pipe support, projections extending lengthwise of the pipe to support the hanger, means comprising a tongue projecting from one leg and engaging the other for preserving parallelism thereof, and a clamping screw located between said metal JOHN B. SCHEER. 

